Topics
Labor Markets
We look at current conditions in the district’s labor markets and trends affecting its workers, as well as topics related to healthy labor markets, such as workforce development and education.
Recent Articles
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Rural Employment in Four States: A Story of Specialization and Change (2010 through 2019)
Is specializing in an industry the way to economic success or the road to economic challenges for rural communities? It depends on the community’s resilience. Read More
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Two Approaches to Predicting the Path of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Is One Better?
We compare two types of models used to predict the spread of the coronavirus, both of which have been used by government officials and agencies. We describe the nature of the difference between the two approaches and their advantages and limitations. We compare examples of each type of model—the University of Washington IHME or “Murray” model, which follows a curve-fitting approach, and the Ohio State University model, which follows a structural approach. Read More
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Investing in Community-Driven Solutions Key to Pandemic Recovery
Communities know what improvements they need, but many lack resources or infrastructure to act. This policy tool, and an example of where it is working, can help communities put solutions into action. Read More
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Economic Inclusion 2000–2020: Labor Market Trends by Race in the US and States
This Commentary examines the extent to which disparities exist between Blacks and whites in labor market outcomes such as levels of labor force participation, unemployment rates, and earnings. To gauge whether disparities have narrowed or widened since 2000, national trends in these outcomes during the past two decades are compared to the trends in three states: Kentucky, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Finally, to assess the current state of economic inclusion as reflected in the labor market, gaps in Black and white outcomes are compared across US states in 2020. Read More
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The Decline in Access to Jobs and the location of Employment Growth in US Metro Areas: Implications for Economic Opportunity and Mobility
Increasing workers’ access to jobs has been found to significantly decrease the duration of joblessness among lower-income unemployed workers. Policies that influence the location of employment growth within a metro area could impact the pace of the labor market recovery from the COVID-19-induced recession. By studying trends in job access, we discern developments that might inform our policy choices. Read More